President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping review of federal funding directed to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) following revelations of deep financial ties between taxpayer-funded programs and left-wing media outlets, progressive advocacy efforts, and controversial international initiatives.
An investigation conducted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, found that USAID has been channeling millions of dollars to left-leaning journalism outlets and NGOs that promote progressive narratives both domestically and abroad.
Among the projects uncovered in the review were government-funded subscriptions to Politico Pro, a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) musical in Ireland, and an Iraqi version of Sesame Street—expenditures critics argue have little to do with advancing the interests of the American taxpayer.
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NGOs, which often operate as hybrids of charity and activism, have long been scrutinized for their financial practices, with allegations of excessive administrative costs and political advocacy that aligns with liberal causes.
According to DOGE’s findings, USAID has been funneling taxpayer money to organizations that push censorship advocacy, radical social policies, and international influence campaigns, often bypassing legal and political obstacles that would otherwise prevent direct government involvement.
In response to the DOGE report, President Trump issued a directive on Friday ordering all executive agencies to conduct a thorough review of their NGO funding practices.
“The United States Government has provided significant taxpayer dollars to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), many of which are engaged in actions that actively undermine the security, prosperity, and safety of the American people,” Trump’s memo stated. “It is the policy of my Administration to stop funding NGOs that undermine the national interest.”
Trump’s decision has prompted strong reactions from Democrats, some of whom gathered outside USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C., to protest the administration’s move.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken over as acting USAID director, with indications that the agency may soon be integrated into the State Department.
“USAID IS DRIVING THE RADICAL LEFT CRAZY, AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE WAY IN WHICH THE MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT, SO MUCH OF IT FRAUDULENTLY, IS TOTALLY UNEXPLAINABLE. THE CORRUPTION IS AT LEVELS RARELY SEEN BEFORE. CLOSE IT DOWN!” Trump posted on Friday.
TRUMP: CLOSE DOWN USAID
“USAID is driving the radical left crazy, and there is nothing they can do about it because the way in which the money has been spent, so much of it fraudulently, is totally unexplainable. The corruption is at levels rarely seen before. Close it… pic.twitter.com/G7VrxPMP1l
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 7, 2025
Despite the widespread impact of USAID funding abroad, foreign governments have remained largely silent about the funding shake-up.
Critics argue that those most upset about potential cuts are the NGOs and contractors receiving the money rather than the countries that were purportedly benefiting from the funds.
Mike Benz, founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, noted, “The people inflamed at closing USAID seem to be the NGOs and private sector grantees with a vested interest in USAID operations. The people very weirdly not inflamed at closing USAID are the leaders of countries those NGOs and private sector grantees are paid supposedly to help.”
The people inflamed at closing USAID seem to be the NGOs and private sector grantees with a vested interest in USAID operations.
The people very weirdly not inflamed at closing USAID are the leaders of countries those NGOs and private sector grantees are paid supposedly to help https://t.co/z8scV4Yelc
— Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) February 6, 2025
A Wikileaks report further revealed that USAID has been a major financier of international media, with 6,200 journalists, 707 media outlets, and 279 media NGOs receiving funding—many of whom have consistently advanced left-leaning narratives.
USAID was funding over 6,200 journalists across 707 media outlets and 279 “media” NGOs, including nine out of ten media outlets in Ukraine.https://t.co/tLUoBT2GfNhttps://t.co/Siq2RJOXQf pic.twitter.com/LyaUFuq3He
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) February 6, 2025
Former Fox & Friends host Clayton Morris commented, “6,000 journalists and 700 newsrooms received USAID money? It’s a wonder all of them parrot the same news.”
6,000 journalists and 700 newsrooms received USAID money?
It’s a wonder all of them parrot the same news. pic.twitter.com/QEOmcX18kX
— Clayton Morris (@ClaytonMorris) February 6, 2025
Among the most controversial funding disclosures was the revelation that Politico received millions in government-funded subscriptions to Politico Pro.
The company defended the transactions as legitimate, though the news came amid Politico’s first-ever missed pay period, which it attributed to a technical error.
Convicted fraudster-turned-forensic accountant Sam Antar weighed in on the issue, stating, “The basis of money laundering is to channel cash through supposedly ‘legitimate’ transactions (e.g., subscriptions).”
Memo to @brianstelter: As the CFO of Crazy Eddie, I engaged in money laundering when you were a one-year-old baby in diapers. The basis of money laundering is to channel cash through supposedly ‘legitimate’ transactions (e.g. subscriptions). You have no idea what you are talking… https://t.co/N6G3kG6gf3
— Sam E. Antar (@SamAntar) February 6, 2025
Beyond journalism, USAID funding has supported numerous social engineering projects that critics argue are designed to reshape cultural norms in foreign countries.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton explained, “So George Soros has the Open Society, foundations and organizations, and he’s not only active here in the United States, but in other countries. And conservatives in these other countries are disturbed about his advocacy for left-wing values, and he’s often been able to partner with the State Department, USAID, to advance these values.”
Fitton noted that USAID funding has been used to support progressive causes in Serbia, Macedonia, and Albania, adding, “It doesn’t take a lot of money to sway a policy in a country like Albania or Macedonia.”
GEORGE SOROS USED USAID TO FUND HIS LIBERAL REMAKE OF THE WORLD. @TomFitton explains how leftist donor George Soros partnered with USAID to advance his liberal values. “It doesn’t take a lot of money to sway policy in a country like Albania.”@AmandaHead @jsolomonReports pic.twitter.com/hT0IolYOvN
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) February 5, 2025
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also addressed the revelations, stating, “The ultra-progressive, self-proclaimed human rights champions of the mainstream media demonized patriotic political forces for years. They did it because they were paid to do so by USAID and the previous, left-wing US administration.”
The rabbit is out of the hat! We had to endure for years that the ultra-progressive, self-proclaimed human rights champions of the mainstream media demonized Patriotic political forces for years. They did it because they were paid to do so by USAID and the previous, left-wing US…
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) February 6, 2025
USAID funding has long been suspected of influencing political movements and regime changes in foreign countries.
In Georgia, Parliament President Shalva Papuashvili accused USAID of meddling in his country’s elections, stating, “USAID spent, through political NGOs, USD 41.7 million on Georgian elections.”
He equated this to a $3.78 billion foreign injection into U.S. elections based on the population ratio.
USAID spent, through political NGOs, USD 41,7 million on Georgian elections. In terms of US/Georgia population ratio, this would amount to USD 3,78 billion foreign money injected in US elections. These numbers are even more grotesque if compared with GDP ratio as well.
So, it… pic.twitter.com/H5Z48smYUt
— Shalva Papuashvili (@shpapuashvili) February 4, 2025
The Georgian Dream Party, which won 54% of the vote, faced accusations from foreign-backed opposition groups, with protests erupting in the capital.
Authorities later raided the offices of several NGOs and discovered stockpiles of incendiary devices, confirming suspicions that foreign funding was fueling civil unrest.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also alleged that Western-backed NGOs played a role in the 2014 Maidan revolution in Ukraine, though the specifics of that claim remain debated.

What is known is that DOGE’s findings show that nine out of ten Ukrainian news outlets received USAID funding, as did the NAFO online influence campaign—a group of pro-Ukraine activists that has been linked to information warfare efforts against Russian narratives.
As Trump’s administration proceeds with its review of USAID and NGO funding, the revelations about financial ties to left-wing advocacy, media manipulation, and political interference continue to raise serious questions about the role of taxpayer money in global politics.
With Marco Rubio now overseeing USAID’s operations and the administration pushing to redirect or shut down politically motivated funding, the agency’s future remains uncertain.
However, one thing is clear: the status quo of unchecked funding for progressive global initiatives is now facing unprecedented scrutiny.
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